Looking for a .22

[chrisb]

So i'm looking around for an inexpensive 22 for my boys to shoot, used is fine.

I like the 10/22 because of it's reliability and the abundance or parts for it. They can be a little on the expensive side though. What other models should i consider? Are there any that i should avoid all together?

[Straight Shooter]

Marlin 795 or 60.  I've seen them recently for under $100.00.

[GoldTip]

At least for me, I wanna know how experienced your boys are with firearms before I'd make a recommendation.  A new shooter with a 22?  I'd go with one of the Chipmunk style 22's, single shot with a bolt action and very safe and made for smaller stature individuals.  A more experienced shooter, then yeah a semi-auto may be appropriate, in which case I would comb the pawn shops and find a ruger 10/22 will last them the rest of their lives.

[BIGINNER]

i have a savage mod. 62.  2lr.  its a nice gun,  nothing fancy,  semi-auto.  very accurate,  i shot 10 rounds groups at 75 yards, and just made one big hole in the target  .  and the nice thing is i got it 2 weeks ago for $75.00

[chrisb]

The boys are 11 and are just learning to shoot. They've got a couple range sessions under their belts but are definitely still beginners.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Find yourself a Marlin/Glenfield bolt action with clip, but shoot it as a single shot just to get them to slow down and aim. Then let them have the clip. Graduate them to a semi auto like a Marlin 60 or Ruger 10-22.  Savage has some pretty cost aware 22's out there too. Yes, Pawn Shops, Little Nickle.

-Steve

[jackelope]

While my first gun from my dad when I was 12 was a 10/22, I kinda gotta wonder if a better gun would be a bolt action...
The price people want for 10/22's these days you're almost better off buying a new one. they can be bought new for under $200 if you keep an eye open. I bought a used one for $160 recently but it was an older one in pristine condition.
Joe's used to sell one and I bet Walmart would have one for that money.

You could watch the classifieds at www.rimfirecentral.com but with all the trick custom stuff guys do with them, they just want the action, the inexpensive ones will get scooped up quick.
there's usually one or 2 here:
http://www.seattleguns.net/viewforum.php?f=8
they go fast though so stay on top of it!!

[jackelope]

this might be sold it looks like but maybe not?

http://www.seattleguns.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11817

[jackelope]

a possible screamin deal:

http://www.seattleguns.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9874

nuther:
http://www.seattleguns.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10712

[chrisb]

Jackelope those are pretty good deals.

Sports authority has  10/22 on sale for 199 this week but i figured i'd check with you guys first and see what every one thought would be a good way to start. I'm going to look into a couple of the models you all suggested as well and do some research on them. I need to see if i can break away this weekend from chores and hit a pawn shop or two near me. Thanks for all the help guys and keep it coming if you have any more recommendations.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Just a month ago I saw a 10-22 on sale at a pawn shop for $139.

Don't jump at the first thing you see. There's a lot of .22 rifles out there.

-Steve

[Al Bundy]

I picked up a Marlin Model 60 last summer at a pawn shop for $75. It was in very good condition. I took it home, cleaned and waxed the stock and touched up some worn bluing, it looks new now. Even brand new they only run about $150-160. I've seen em at BiMart on sale for $130 before. They're great rifles. Oh yeah, the tube magazine can't get lost either.

You won't be able to shoot subsonic rounds out of it, they won't cycle the action. Everything else I've fed her though has worked great.

[hillbilli]

the marlin m-60 is very accurate, a little more finicky about dirt than the ruger, but runs good when clean. the remington .22 auto (597?) is decent, at least the couple i've dealt with.

[phishisgroovin]

A marlin mod 25 would be perfect and they would never outgrow it.
Since you are going to be monitoring them you can limit how many bullets go in the clip.

I still have the one my cousin and I shared when we were 13 tromping through the woods racoon hunting and wouldnt sell it for anything.

[Intruder]

Marlin and Savage (as mentioned) make some pretty decent ones for a reasonable price.  I like the savage w/ the accutrigger myself.  10/22 is a dandy choice though.

[Buckmark]

Give Bens loans in renton a call, last time i was down there they had atleast 12 used .22, maybe more and some new ones, i know some of the used were under 100. If you are into a project idea, pick up a used .22 that might have a beatup stock and refinish it with the help of your boy's, a great project that can be done in a weekend and it can also help them appereciate and take care of the gun..
I have bought .22's for as little as $20.00 that just needed some love..

[quadrafire]

I got a 10/22 when I was 11. I thought it was the best thing ever.Still love it after many years and many rounds.
Plus there are so many add-ons for later, stocks/barrels etc.
can't go wrong. Heck just buy "one" for now instead of two and let them share.

[chrisb]

Heck just buy "one" for now instead of two and let them share.

Definitely plan on just getting one. Thats why i like the idea of a mag fed model. While one is shooting the other can be loading his mag.

[DOUBLELUNG]

If you come across a Remington 527 in your pawn hunt, they are great magazine-fed bolt action .22s.

[44 Flattop]

I am a big, no....huge, no....GIANT fan of started beginner shooters with single shots.  It teaches marksmanship as the number one lesson.  Semi auto's are so far down my list as to not be seen.  They teach the mindset "I missed that time, hurry up and fire the next one" syndrome. 

I just bought a nearly NIB Remington 511 single shot for $100 at a local gunshow.  A really nice rifle though every major manufacturer makes one.

44

[BigGoonTuna]

hell, i prefer a bolt action to a semi auto even now.  just something satisfying about focusing on your shots.  makes ammo last a heck of a lot longer also...i can be satisfied after popping off a 50 round box, instead of churning through a brick with a semi and having sore thumbs from loading magazines

first gun i ever shot was one of those crickett single shots where you have to pull back a cocking knob after chambering a round.  that was when i was around 11 years old...if i ever have kids, that'll be their first rifle.

[lokidog]

You can't go wrong with any of the Marlin models, their microgroove barrels are extremely accurate. I LOVE MY MARLINS.   I have a Model 60, plus several others including some old Glenfields that were made by Marlin.  Years ago I picked up a bunch of .22's when I was teaching hunter safety by calling a radio buy/sell show and asking if anyone had any.  Of course, I threw in that I was doing a class for a bunch of Girl Scouts which I am sure helped. If you let them know you are looking for your kids, you should get some responses as a lot of older folks have a .22 in a closet that they nor their family use anymore.

Find a good $75 gun and the kids can work their butts off to earn a 10/22 or other more expensive gun when they are older.  They will appreciate it more anyways.